How glamour began to grow
In 1979, Pierre Cardin, longing for mysterious Chinese culture, saw a huge potential market in this country where huge reforms were taking place. He brought his brand along with 12 French models to China.
The models performed a catwalk show in Beijing Cultural Palace of Nationalities. For most Chinese audiences off the stage, it was the first time they realized that parading beautiful couture could be an occupation.
In 1980, the first Chinese model performing team was set up in Shanghai. In June 1986, an advertisement for a "fashion and modeling" vocational course appeared on the Beijing Evening News. One year later, a team of Chinese models had a runway show in the 2nd International Fashion Festival in Paris.
In 1996, the National Textile Association and Department of Labor issued Vocational and Technical Standards of Models, which symbolized official recognition of model as a vocation.
(China Daily 08/09/2007 page18)
